Jaguar to join Formula E

Jaguar will enter the Formula E all-electric racing series next year, returning to high profile motorsport for the first time since its 2004 Formula One exit.

Jaguar Land Rover will work together with Williams Advanced Engineering on the development of the racing car’s powertrain and battery technology, most of which will be done in Grove.

"Electric vehicles will absolutely play a role in Jaguar Land Rover's future product portfolio and Formula E will give us a unique opportunity to further our development of electrification technologies," said Nick Rogers, Engineering Director of the Indian-owned group.

"In the next decade we will see more changes in the automotive world than in the last 30. We believe electrification is the future."

The partnership with Williams will build on the cooperation that led to the development of the C-X75 plug-in hybrid supercar, showcased at the Paris Motor Show in 2010.

Jaguar will replace Italian team Trulli in Formula E, which has given up its spot for the season starting in autumn 2016.

Jaguar’s time with Formula One wasn’t particularly successful and the firm eventually sold its team to Red Bull. Formula E is said to come with much less development cost as restrictions on spending have been put in place – a major advantage over the excessively expensive Formula One.

According to Rogers, Formula E is much more about technology development than about simple racing.

"Jaguar is a brand with a rich sporting heritage and the fact that it is returning to global motorsport with Formula E is a huge endorsement of the championship and its ability to influence the development of electric cars," said Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag.

Currently in its second season, Formula E holds one-day events in major cities around the world including London, Beijing, Moscow, Berlin and Paris.